InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In Death, Trust Me, as You Didn't in Life ❯ Whispers in the Dark ( Chapter 64 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: kanna37 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy / Hentai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 03.05.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 742 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy / Hentai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 03.05.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 742 | Status: Work In Progress
"Sugimi-sama!"
Sugimi looked up from the maps in front of him and frowned as he took note of the scout waiting to speak with him.
"Yes?"
The scout saluted. "Sir, Ungai's army is even now on its final approach to our position. I believe they will arrive just after dark."
The daiyoukai nodded, even as he felt a rush of anticipation flow through him as his blood heated. "Where do you think they will make their camp?"
The male gestured at his maps. "May I?" When Sugimi nodded, he moved forward and studied the map of the area thoughtfully. Finally, he pointed to a spot just to the north of the entrance to the battlefield. "If he has anyone in his army with any sense, I think here. There is a small rise just here-" he tapped a claw against a mark on the map, "-that would provide at least a modicum of protection from attack - rather like a small berm."
"Hm." Sugimi studied the map for a moment, then nodded again. "Very well. Pull all of our people back. Take just a few of our best scouts, and..." he trailed off, his brow furrowing as he thought of something. "Hold a moment." He turned to his son and Nyoko and asked, "Where is Kanna?"
Nyoko narrowed her eyes on him, then said, "Outside."
"Well, have someone go get her. I think we have need of her special abilities," he smirked.
Inuyasha growled slightly as Nyoko elbowed him, then sighed. "Fine! I'll be right back." He stood up and slipped out of the tent with a last backward glare at his intended mate. Irritating woman, he snarled to himself grumpily.
Nyoko flashed a glare his way, then turned back to the daiyoukai. "So what's floating around in that devious head of yours now, Sugimi-sama?" she asked. "I hope you aren't planning to send poor Kanna by herself over there to spy on the enemy's camp."
Sugimi reached up and ran his fingers through his bangs as he thought. "No," he said distractedly, "not by herself. There will be others with her, and I just want her to show us Ungai's camp... and make sure he actually sets one up and doesn't try something stupid like attacking at night after a forced march."
Those in the tent murmured their agreements as Nyoko thought about what he'd said. That actually hadn't occurred to her, but it was a possibility. "Hadn't thought of that," she hummed as Inuyasha came through the tent opening with Kanna in tow. "But with that idiot, it's certainly a possibility."
"What's a possibility?" Inuyasha demanded gruffly as he plopped back down at her side, thrusting his hands into his haori.
His father answered. "Ungai actually attacking tonight instead of making camp." He turned his gaze on the pale girl standing quietly before him, and sat down, gesturing for her to do the same.
Once she did, he spoke. "Kanna, I wish to have you go with the scouts later this evening and watch Ungai and his army for a time, just to make sure we won't be facing a sneak attack during the night. Will you do that?"
The little girl regarded him steadily for several moments, then turned to look at Nyoko. The sorceress, somehow knowing what she was asking, nodded. "I'll go with you," she said, and Kanna nodded.
Before Sugimi could even speak, Inuyasha burst in. "Keh! If you're goin' then so am I." He shook his head stubbornly as his father attempted to reason with him, refusing to listen to anything. "No. If I don't go, she doesn't."
Nyoko narrowed her eyes on him, but with pursed lips, decided to argue the point behind his words later. After all, she preferred to keep him in her sights, as well.
Finally, seeing that no argument was going to work with his son, and refusing to issue an order that would put them at odds, Sugimi nodded reluctantly. "Very well. You will leave now, so as to be already in place as Ungai and his army approach the battlefield." Looking at Kanna, he said, "Record everything you see in your mirror - I will want to see it myself when you return. Be careful, Inuyasha."
His son shrugged as they all stood and prepared to leave. "Feh, it ain't any big deal. Kanna's used to spyin', and the rest of us are used to sneakin' when we've had to do so much of it chasin' Naraku. Quit worrying, old man."
"Unfortunately, Inuyasha," he murmured wryly as he watched them all leave, "it isn't that easy."
Nope, not that easy at all, boy. You'll understand soon enough, I think.
He turned back to his maps and the other leaders, and continued discussing the now imminent battle, his thoughts whirling with worry...
For both his sons.
-wWw-
Sesshoumaru wasn't worried about anything at that particular point in time, finally wrapped up once again in his mate's presence. A deep, rumbling growl echoed from his chest, a sound of contentment and peace, and Kagome melted all over as she sank into his arms and just inhaled as much of his scent as she could get.
"I did not enjoy that separation, Kagome. It was far more painful than anything this one has ever experienced." An almost unnoticeable sigh passed his lips. "Perhaps... all that is needed is your will surrounding the bond to keep it impermeable to any tampering. Whatever is needed, however, we must decide now - I will never be able to withstand such a thing again."
Kagome could feel his discomfort at even admitting that there was something out there that he couldn't withstand - and it was hard for her to believe that that something was the loss of her. After all, this was Sesshoumaru, the larger-than-life dai who refused all weakness... except her, apparently. Suddenly feeling bad that she had caused such a fracture in his otherwise impermeable armor, she nodded against his chest.
"I'm trying to think of what she could have meant. I mean... your idea is a good one, but... how do I wrap something around a thing that has no physicality? Our bond is emotional and spiritual."
"And you are a goddess, my little mate. There is not much that is outside your purview should you decide that you wish something to be a certain way." Something entered his voice, then, an odd note, and Kagome pulled back a little to look into his face.
"What? What is it?"
"It has just occurred to this one that when we mated, it was a traditional mating - done as though I were mating a youkai female, or a human." She nodded uncertainly, not understanding where he was going with this, and he eyed her before continuing. "You are not youkai, and you are no longer human, mate. It is possible that with the power you contain, you need to reciprocate the mating bond with this one."
Kagome looked taken aback. "What do you mean?" she asked, a frown furrowing her brow. "How would I mate you back?"
A rather lecherous smirk settled on his perfect lips, and Kagome's eyes narrowed as she looked at him with suspicion. "I would think that the first step would be mating, would you not think, woman?"
She shook her head at him. "It figures you'd find a way that would mean you'd be getting some. Isn't there a better time than this - when we're getting ready for the war of all wars?"
He looked smug at that. "Were we not ordered to take care of this problem by Amaterasu-sama herself? And did she not say that we had the time to do so?"
With a mock-annoyed little huff, she rolled her eyes at him. "Okay, so say you're right and we need to do... that... again," she said, her eyes dilating a little as she thought back to their original mating, "just how do I go about bonding you as you did me?"
He thought about that for several minutes, absently running his hands along her back, leaving her practically purring in his lap.
After a time, he said, "I think that we should return to the cave to finish the mating as we began it there. It will amplify and assist the bonding, just as it did the first time."
She nodded. "Okay. So let's go, then."
He stood, pulling both of them up with ease, and set her on her feet. Kagome thought for a moment, and then grabbed his hand, and tugged him after her as she stepped from the ether and right back into the cave that had borne silent witness to their first joining.
Sesshoumaru glanced around, then asked, "What time period are we in, mate?" idly, curious.
"The same one we originally did this in, of course. We should finish what we started when we started it, shouldn't we?" she asked facetiously.
"Hn," he hummed his agreement, ignoring her tone, and then allowed mokomoko to slither to the ground, once again coiling into a comfortable bed. He looked up at her with a satisfied arch of his brow. "Our bed awaits, fair miko... join me?"
She blushed, and nodded, watching spellbound as he began to undress. She was shocked, however, when he, naked as the day he was born, picked up Tenseiga and once again planted it in the rock at the entrance, bringing up the barrier.
Oh, come on, Kagome, she thought to herself fiercely, stop being a blushing schoolgirl! He's your mate, for god's sake, and it's not like you haven't been there already! Firming her shoulders and her determination, she ignored his amused smirk and quirked brow, and boldly began to undress herself.
She was soon the smug one, however; the moment her bra came off, Sesshoumaru wasn't amused anymore, instead, he was highly aroused... and not ashamed to show it. Kagome could feel the flood of uncontained warmth between her thighs as she watched him get hard before her, knowing it was because of her made it the most erotic thing she could think of.
From the look in his eyes, she knew she was about to get mauled – and she was right. No sooner had she dropped to her back before him, legs spread invitingly, than he was on her, and after that, there was no more thinking, only doing.
The moment that flesh met flesh, though, something changed between them, and the heat building turned slow - simmering, instead of burning. Suddenly, emotion entered the equation, as the pain of separation crashed into both their minds, and independently, yet together, both decided that this time, they wanted tender, rather than fierce.
Kagome slowly drew her eyes upwards, over his beautiful, sculpted chest, up his elegant yet, powerful neck, and over his gorgeous face to meet his molten gold gaze, her heart open to him in her own, showing everything she felt. He reciprocated, his mutli-hued orbs melting even further as they softened to show her parts of himself that no other living being had ever seen.
Nudging himself between her thighs, Sesshoumaru was instantly aware that she needed no encouraging – she was more than ready, and with no further warning, he thrust inside, slowly, hotly, feeling every inch of himself being swallowed by her. It was an odd feeling, this time – he was being taken, rather than him taking her.
Kagome arched into him the moment he began to thrust forward, pulling him inside her with her movements, and sheer muscle strength, tightening down on him and holding him inside at her deepest point while both shuddered as her flesh rippled along his.
It was hot, it was erotic – and most important, it was loving.
Rocking above her, Sesshoumaru held her gaze, his barely controlled features mirroring hers as hour spun into hour, and Kagome wove her spirit and power around, into, and through every inch of her mate's own spirit, binding him to her as surely as he had bound her to him.
Neither looked away from the other to notice, but, just as before, the cave echoed what was happening between the two, glowing brighter and brighter as they joined themselves irrevocably together, this time completely inseparable by anyone.
Now there was not just a goddess, Kagome, there was a god, Sesshoumaru. Two aspects in one...
Perfect, and balanced, male and female joined into one, becoming one soul, one mind, one body, one power – all that they could become, and more.
As day spun into night, the two continued their loving, strengthening their bonding until not even the might of all the kami together could pull them apart. And when the dawn came again, and the two finally separated, exhausted, yet fulfilled, their bond was complete, whole, and set in stone, as immutable as the laws of the universe itself.
Male and female, god and goddess...
Sesshoumaru and Kagome.
-wWw-
Sugimi watched, fascinated, at what Kanna was showing him.
They had lucked out, and Ungai's army had, indeed, set up camp for the night. But Kanna had managed to get something good; Ungai had spoken with his commanders near the head of the army... well within the range of Kanna's hiding place.
The plan was to attack just after dawn – when the opposing army was at it's most groggy... usually. But knowing that was what they were going to do, Sugimi soon had orders disseminated through the army that they would wake three hours before dawn, so as to be fully awake, fed, and ready for battle.
He also paid close attention to the makeup of his enemy's army, and how they were organized. What he saw had him confused.
It looked as though there was no real organization at all.
Yes, the samurai that were there were arranged as they usually were – along family lines, each clan's members sticking together and being ordered as that clan's leaders saw fit. It looked as though Ungai hadn't interfered in any way with the human commanders and their men.
That was definitely a bad thing... for Ungai.
Also, he wasn't taking advantage of his own monks, and their use against the demons. They were just there, milling around, and doing what they wanted.
With an inward smirk, he realized that Ungai was being guided by Sou'unga, and the demon wasn't the best of generals.
Yes, he had always been deemed a deadly danger to the world, which is why he'd wanted his sons to cast the blade into hell after his death. But it was because of his ability to control unbound legions of the dead and living. Because of that ability, Sou'unga had never had to develop any talent for strategy at all. He had always just thrown more and more men at the problem until it was inundated and destroyed.
This time, however, he didn't have that 'endless army' option – but apparently, that hadn't occurred to him. Every loss of one of his men was going to hurt him, and he was too much a fool to realize this.
That was a huge advantage to his own army.
It looked as though beating the army ranged against them was a foregone conclusion... there would be losses on his side, yes, just as there always were in war – but in the end, they would be victorious.
The problem was going to lie in Sou'unga, and Sosa no Wo.
If his son and Kagome didn't return in time, things were going to go downhill – no matter whether the army won its battle or not.
Thanking Kanna for the information, he dismissed her and sat back, thoughts troubled.
Sesshoumaru... Kagome... where are you? You really need to hurry, son... I can only cover your back for so long.
-wWw-
Ungai walked through his camp with head held high and a sense of superiority that couldn't be denied. His army was large, and strong, and soon, within mere hours, his victory over the white demon, Sesshoumaru, would be assured – as well as his defeat and destruction of all demons. Once this army was defeated, there wouldn't be many demons left to eradicate.
His name would go down in history as the one who had freed the human race of the demon plague.
So focused was he on his own grandiose plans and self-aggrandizement, that he didn't note the fearful looks his own army were casting him. To them, he wasn't the savior he saw himself as, he had become the demon they feared most. They all honestly wished to get away from him – but it was clear that wouldn't be happening... unless they died. They were trapped.
It never occurred to any of them to wonder why one man had them feeling that way. After all, they were many against one if they had all decided to leave. But Sosa, of course, would never allow that, and it was he that kept the army in fear and blind to the fact that they could have left quite easily if they'd wanted to.
Neither Ungai, or Sou'unga, for that matter, knew just who was really leading things, they both thought that they were in charge. Ungai was too mad to notice someone controlling him, and Sou'unga was too arrogant to think that anyone could.
And the only one with any inkling of what was truly going on was Meimei. She simply sat back in her tent and laughed, waiting for the end to begin. She was fully confident in the win for her side, and felt no need to hide her gloating.
I think though, that I'd like to get in the first blows. For all the things that scum has thought about doing to this one... I think I'll send him some well deserved nightmares.
She thought about that for a few minutes, and then nodded, pleased.
Enjoy your last evening of life, Ungai!
-wWw-
That is how the night before the battle found Ungai trapped and writhing in fear, his soul screaming as he tried to get away from the nightmares that were haunting him.
He knew that he was dreaming, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't wake up, and the harder he tried, the worse things got.
Caught in darkness, no light anywhere to be seen, all that existed for him were the whispers... the voices telling him his fate.
You will lose, Ungai. You have ranged yourself against She Who is Above All, and you cannot win.
Your name will be forgotten by most, and the only ones who do remember it, will curse it.
You have shamed the Buddha with your actions, and when you leave life, he will turn his face from you, and forgiveness will not find you.
We will have joy of tormenting you for eternity in the deepest levels of hell, fallen monk – all those you destroyed will be allowed to cause harm to your very soul, until all that is left of you is tatters.
All the things the monk feared most – torment, his name forgotten and cursed, the Lord Buddha turning from him... all night long these things were thrown at him, evolving into visions of those very things happening as the night progressed, and terrified, Ungai could do nothing but watch the visions, and listen to the whispers in the dark that spoke of his fate.
Daylight couldn't come soon enough for him.
-wWw-
A/N: I apologize for my sudden disappearance – I had a bad accident this last weekend when I passed out and fell from a small height and landed face first on my kitchen floor. Fortunately, a CT scan was able to determine that I didn't break anything, but I did some permanent damage to my jaw and several teeth, so there is a lot of pain that isn't going to be going away anytime soon. All that to say that I am not ignoring all my latest reviews, I just haven't had the oomph to answer them, and catch up on my stories, too. I figured everyone would rather have new chapters than answered reviews. I have read and enjoyed them all, though!
Amber
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Sugimi looked up from the maps in front of him and frowned as he took note of the scout waiting to speak with him.
"Yes?"
The scout saluted. "Sir, Ungai's army is even now on its final approach to our position. I believe they will arrive just after dark."
The daiyoukai nodded, even as he felt a rush of anticipation flow through him as his blood heated. "Where do you think they will make their camp?"
The male gestured at his maps. "May I?" When Sugimi nodded, he moved forward and studied the map of the area thoughtfully. Finally, he pointed to a spot just to the north of the entrance to the battlefield. "If he has anyone in his army with any sense, I think here. There is a small rise just here-" he tapped a claw against a mark on the map, "-that would provide at least a modicum of protection from attack - rather like a small berm."
"Hm." Sugimi studied the map for a moment, then nodded again. "Very well. Pull all of our people back. Take just a few of our best scouts, and..." he trailed off, his brow furrowing as he thought of something. "Hold a moment." He turned to his son and Nyoko and asked, "Where is Kanna?"
Nyoko narrowed her eyes on him, then said, "Outside."
"Well, have someone go get her. I think we have need of her special abilities," he smirked.
Inuyasha growled slightly as Nyoko elbowed him, then sighed. "Fine! I'll be right back." He stood up and slipped out of the tent with a last backward glare at his intended mate. Irritating woman, he snarled to himself grumpily.
Nyoko flashed a glare his way, then turned back to the daiyoukai. "So what's floating around in that devious head of yours now, Sugimi-sama?" she asked. "I hope you aren't planning to send poor Kanna by herself over there to spy on the enemy's camp."
Sugimi reached up and ran his fingers through his bangs as he thought. "No," he said distractedly, "not by herself. There will be others with her, and I just want her to show us Ungai's camp... and make sure he actually sets one up and doesn't try something stupid like attacking at night after a forced march."
Those in the tent murmured their agreements as Nyoko thought about what he'd said. That actually hadn't occurred to her, but it was a possibility. "Hadn't thought of that," she hummed as Inuyasha came through the tent opening with Kanna in tow. "But with that idiot, it's certainly a possibility."
"What's a possibility?" Inuyasha demanded gruffly as he plopped back down at her side, thrusting his hands into his haori.
His father answered. "Ungai actually attacking tonight instead of making camp." He turned his gaze on the pale girl standing quietly before him, and sat down, gesturing for her to do the same.
Once she did, he spoke. "Kanna, I wish to have you go with the scouts later this evening and watch Ungai and his army for a time, just to make sure we won't be facing a sneak attack during the night. Will you do that?"
The little girl regarded him steadily for several moments, then turned to look at Nyoko. The sorceress, somehow knowing what she was asking, nodded. "I'll go with you," she said, and Kanna nodded.
Before Sugimi could even speak, Inuyasha burst in. "Keh! If you're goin' then so am I." He shook his head stubbornly as his father attempted to reason with him, refusing to listen to anything. "No. If I don't go, she doesn't."
Nyoko narrowed her eyes on him, but with pursed lips, decided to argue the point behind his words later. After all, she preferred to keep him in her sights, as well.
Finally, seeing that no argument was going to work with his son, and refusing to issue an order that would put them at odds, Sugimi nodded reluctantly. "Very well. You will leave now, so as to be already in place as Ungai and his army approach the battlefield." Looking at Kanna, he said, "Record everything you see in your mirror - I will want to see it myself when you return. Be careful, Inuyasha."
His son shrugged as they all stood and prepared to leave. "Feh, it ain't any big deal. Kanna's used to spyin', and the rest of us are used to sneakin' when we've had to do so much of it chasin' Naraku. Quit worrying, old man."
"Unfortunately, Inuyasha," he murmured wryly as he watched them all leave, "it isn't that easy."
Nope, not that easy at all, boy. You'll understand soon enough, I think.
He turned back to his maps and the other leaders, and continued discussing the now imminent battle, his thoughts whirling with worry...
For both his sons.
-wWw-
Sesshoumaru wasn't worried about anything at that particular point in time, finally wrapped up once again in his mate's presence. A deep, rumbling growl echoed from his chest, a sound of contentment and peace, and Kagome melted all over as she sank into his arms and just inhaled as much of his scent as she could get.
"I did not enjoy that separation, Kagome. It was far more painful than anything this one has ever experienced." An almost unnoticeable sigh passed his lips. "Perhaps... all that is needed is your will surrounding the bond to keep it impermeable to any tampering. Whatever is needed, however, we must decide now - I will never be able to withstand such a thing again."
Kagome could feel his discomfort at even admitting that there was something out there that he couldn't withstand - and it was hard for her to believe that that something was the loss of her. After all, this was Sesshoumaru, the larger-than-life dai who refused all weakness... except her, apparently. Suddenly feeling bad that she had caused such a fracture in his otherwise impermeable armor, she nodded against his chest.
"I'm trying to think of what she could have meant. I mean... your idea is a good one, but... how do I wrap something around a thing that has no physicality? Our bond is emotional and spiritual."
"And you are a goddess, my little mate. There is not much that is outside your purview should you decide that you wish something to be a certain way." Something entered his voice, then, an odd note, and Kagome pulled back a little to look into his face.
"What? What is it?"
"It has just occurred to this one that when we mated, it was a traditional mating - done as though I were mating a youkai female, or a human." She nodded uncertainly, not understanding where he was going with this, and he eyed her before continuing. "You are not youkai, and you are no longer human, mate. It is possible that with the power you contain, you need to reciprocate the mating bond with this one."
Kagome looked taken aback. "What do you mean?" she asked, a frown furrowing her brow. "How would I mate you back?"
A rather lecherous smirk settled on his perfect lips, and Kagome's eyes narrowed as she looked at him with suspicion. "I would think that the first step would be mating, would you not think, woman?"
She shook her head at him. "It figures you'd find a way that would mean you'd be getting some. Isn't there a better time than this - when we're getting ready for the war of all wars?"
He looked smug at that. "Were we not ordered to take care of this problem by Amaterasu-sama herself? And did she not say that we had the time to do so?"
With a mock-annoyed little huff, she rolled her eyes at him. "Okay, so say you're right and we need to do... that... again," she said, her eyes dilating a little as she thought back to their original mating, "just how do I go about bonding you as you did me?"
He thought about that for several minutes, absently running his hands along her back, leaving her practically purring in his lap.
After a time, he said, "I think that we should return to the cave to finish the mating as we began it there. It will amplify and assist the bonding, just as it did the first time."
She nodded. "Okay. So let's go, then."
He stood, pulling both of them up with ease, and set her on her feet. Kagome thought for a moment, and then grabbed his hand, and tugged him after her as she stepped from the ether and right back into the cave that had borne silent witness to their first joining.
Sesshoumaru glanced around, then asked, "What time period are we in, mate?" idly, curious.
"The same one we originally did this in, of course. We should finish what we started when we started it, shouldn't we?" she asked facetiously.
"Hn," he hummed his agreement, ignoring her tone, and then allowed mokomoko to slither to the ground, once again coiling into a comfortable bed. He looked up at her with a satisfied arch of his brow. "Our bed awaits, fair miko... join me?"
She blushed, and nodded, watching spellbound as he began to undress. She was shocked, however, when he, naked as the day he was born, picked up Tenseiga and once again planted it in the rock at the entrance, bringing up the barrier.
Oh, come on, Kagome, she thought to herself fiercely, stop being a blushing schoolgirl! He's your mate, for god's sake, and it's not like you haven't been there already! Firming her shoulders and her determination, she ignored his amused smirk and quirked brow, and boldly began to undress herself.
She was soon the smug one, however; the moment her bra came off, Sesshoumaru wasn't amused anymore, instead, he was highly aroused... and not ashamed to show it. Kagome could feel the flood of uncontained warmth between her thighs as she watched him get hard before her, knowing it was because of her made it the most erotic thing she could think of.
From the look in his eyes, she knew she was about to get mauled – and she was right. No sooner had she dropped to her back before him, legs spread invitingly, than he was on her, and after that, there was no more thinking, only doing.
The moment that flesh met flesh, though, something changed between them, and the heat building turned slow - simmering, instead of burning. Suddenly, emotion entered the equation, as the pain of separation crashed into both their minds, and independently, yet together, both decided that this time, they wanted tender, rather than fierce.
Kagome slowly drew her eyes upwards, over his beautiful, sculpted chest, up his elegant yet, powerful neck, and over his gorgeous face to meet his molten gold gaze, her heart open to him in her own, showing everything she felt. He reciprocated, his mutli-hued orbs melting even further as they softened to show her parts of himself that no other living being had ever seen.
Nudging himself between her thighs, Sesshoumaru was instantly aware that she needed no encouraging – she was more than ready, and with no further warning, he thrust inside, slowly, hotly, feeling every inch of himself being swallowed by her. It was an odd feeling, this time – he was being taken, rather than him taking her.
Kagome arched into him the moment he began to thrust forward, pulling him inside her with her movements, and sheer muscle strength, tightening down on him and holding him inside at her deepest point while both shuddered as her flesh rippled along his.
It was hot, it was erotic – and most important, it was loving.
Rocking above her, Sesshoumaru held her gaze, his barely controlled features mirroring hers as hour spun into hour, and Kagome wove her spirit and power around, into, and through every inch of her mate's own spirit, binding him to her as surely as he had bound her to him.
Neither looked away from the other to notice, but, just as before, the cave echoed what was happening between the two, glowing brighter and brighter as they joined themselves irrevocably together, this time completely inseparable by anyone.
Now there was not just a goddess, Kagome, there was a god, Sesshoumaru. Two aspects in one...
Perfect, and balanced, male and female joined into one, becoming one soul, one mind, one body, one power – all that they could become, and more.
As day spun into night, the two continued their loving, strengthening their bonding until not even the might of all the kami together could pull them apart. And when the dawn came again, and the two finally separated, exhausted, yet fulfilled, their bond was complete, whole, and set in stone, as immutable as the laws of the universe itself.
Male and female, god and goddess...
Sesshoumaru and Kagome.
-wWw-
Sugimi watched, fascinated, at what Kanna was showing him.
They had lucked out, and Ungai's army had, indeed, set up camp for the night. But Kanna had managed to get something good; Ungai had spoken with his commanders near the head of the army... well within the range of Kanna's hiding place.
The plan was to attack just after dawn – when the opposing army was at it's most groggy... usually. But knowing that was what they were going to do, Sugimi soon had orders disseminated through the army that they would wake three hours before dawn, so as to be fully awake, fed, and ready for battle.
He also paid close attention to the makeup of his enemy's army, and how they were organized. What he saw had him confused.
It looked as though there was no real organization at all.
Yes, the samurai that were there were arranged as they usually were – along family lines, each clan's members sticking together and being ordered as that clan's leaders saw fit. It looked as though Ungai hadn't interfered in any way with the human commanders and their men.
That was definitely a bad thing... for Ungai.
Also, he wasn't taking advantage of his own monks, and their use against the demons. They were just there, milling around, and doing what they wanted.
With an inward smirk, he realized that Ungai was being guided by Sou'unga, and the demon wasn't the best of generals.
Yes, he had always been deemed a deadly danger to the world, which is why he'd wanted his sons to cast the blade into hell after his death. But it was because of his ability to control unbound legions of the dead and living. Because of that ability, Sou'unga had never had to develop any talent for strategy at all. He had always just thrown more and more men at the problem until it was inundated and destroyed.
This time, however, he didn't have that 'endless army' option – but apparently, that hadn't occurred to him. Every loss of one of his men was going to hurt him, and he was too much a fool to realize this.
That was a huge advantage to his own army.
It looked as though beating the army ranged against them was a foregone conclusion... there would be losses on his side, yes, just as there always were in war – but in the end, they would be victorious.
The problem was going to lie in Sou'unga, and Sosa no Wo.
If his son and Kagome didn't return in time, things were going to go downhill – no matter whether the army won its battle or not.
Thanking Kanna for the information, he dismissed her and sat back, thoughts troubled.
Sesshoumaru... Kagome... where are you? You really need to hurry, son... I can only cover your back for so long.
-wWw-
Ungai walked through his camp with head held high and a sense of superiority that couldn't be denied. His army was large, and strong, and soon, within mere hours, his victory over the white demon, Sesshoumaru, would be assured – as well as his defeat and destruction of all demons. Once this army was defeated, there wouldn't be many demons left to eradicate.
His name would go down in history as the one who had freed the human race of the demon plague.
So focused was he on his own grandiose plans and self-aggrandizement, that he didn't note the fearful looks his own army were casting him. To them, he wasn't the savior he saw himself as, he had become the demon they feared most. They all honestly wished to get away from him – but it was clear that wouldn't be happening... unless they died. They were trapped.
It never occurred to any of them to wonder why one man had them feeling that way. After all, they were many against one if they had all decided to leave. But Sosa, of course, would never allow that, and it was he that kept the army in fear and blind to the fact that they could have left quite easily if they'd wanted to.
Neither Ungai, or Sou'unga, for that matter, knew just who was really leading things, they both thought that they were in charge. Ungai was too mad to notice someone controlling him, and Sou'unga was too arrogant to think that anyone could.
And the only one with any inkling of what was truly going on was Meimei. She simply sat back in her tent and laughed, waiting for the end to begin. She was fully confident in the win for her side, and felt no need to hide her gloating.
I think though, that I'd like to get in the first blows. For all the things that scum has thought about doing to this one... I think I'll send him some well deserved nightmares.
She thought about that for a few minutes, and then nodded, pleased.
Enjoy your last evening of life, Ungai!
-wWw-
That is how the night before the battle found Ungai trapped and writhing in fear, his soul screaming as he tried to get away from the nightmares that were haunting him.
He knew that he was dreaming, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't wake up, and the harder he tried, the worse things got.
Caught in darkness, no light anywhere to be seen, all that existed for him were the whispers... the voices telling him his fate.
You will lose, Ungai. You have ranged yourself against She Who is Above All, and you cannot win.
Your name will be forgotten by most, and the only ones who do remember it, will curse it.
You have shamed the Buddha with your actions, and when you leave life, he will turn his face from you, and forgiveness will not find you.
We will have joy of tormenting you for eternity in the deepest levels of hell, fallen monk – all those you destroyed will be allowed to cause harm to your very soul, until all that is left of you is tatters.
All the things the monk feared most – torment, his name forgotten and cursed, the Lord Buddha turning from him... all night long these things were thrown at him, evolving into visions of those very things happening as the night progressed, and terrified, Ungai could do nothing but watch the visions, and listen to the whispers in the dark that spoke of his fate.
Daylight couldn't come soon enough for him.
-wWw-
A/N: I apologize for my sudden disappearance – I had a bad accident this last weekend when I passed out and fell from a small height and landed face first on my kitchen floor. Fortunately, a CT scan was able to determine that I didn't break anything, but I did some permanent damage to my jaw and several teeth, so there is a lot of pain that isn't going to be going away anytime soon. All that to say that I am not ignoring all my latest reviews, I just haven't had the oomph to answer them, and catch up on my stories, too. I figured everyone would rather have new chapters than answered reviews. I have read and enjoyed them all, though!
Amber
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